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The Jester and the Straw Roof

By Swapna Dutta; Illustrations by Sudheer Nath

Maharaja Krishna Chandra was the king of Bengal during the middle ages. It was customary for kings in those days to patronise talented people. So every king had his own court poets, artists, singers, town planners, architects and what have you. And plenty of ministers to advise him on different matters.

Gopal was the maharaja's favourite jester. A barber by profession, he had a razor-sharp wit and could make the best of any situation. He was bright and clever and had a tremendous presence of mind. But what was most important, he had a kind heart as well. He was always ready to help anyone, not just the king.

Gopal shivered as he sat smoking his hookah one cold winter morning. The sunwas barely visible. There was smell of rain in the air. Gopal frowned. Hiseyes were on the ceiling. The straw on the roof was getting really thin. Ifit rained hard the roof was bound to leak.

Gopal's wife ambled into the room frowning. "You're a good-for -nothing man,"she said. "Have you looked at the roof of our house?" she asked.

"The straw is getting thin in places. We'll need to put a fresh lot of hay,"said Gopal.

"Don't you feel ashamed that you have to attend to roofs even now... afterall these years?"

"Straw roofs have to be re-done from time to time. What's shameful aboutit?"

"It is shameful that we still have straw roofs to tend to," shouted Gopal'swife.

"This is our ancestral home."

"It's no use arguing with you," Said Gopal's wife, "I quite see that I'mfated to live in a straw hut all my life."

Gopal gave her a keen look. "There's something in what you say," he agreed.

Gopal arrived quite late at the maharaja's court the next morning. And camelater and later each following day.

"What's the matter with you, Gopal?" he asked impatiently after a few days,"You always come late these days."

"I am planning to have kartik puja at my place this year," said Gopal.

"You have it every year," said the maharaja impatiently.

"Well, it will be special this time," said Gopal, "I am planning to inviteyour majesty that evening."

"Very well, I'll be there," said the maharaja.

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